EAN labels

EAN labels are labels on which EAN codes are printed.

An EAN (European Article Number) is a type of barcode that encodes an article number. Since EAN codes have been discontinued as of 2009, Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) are now encoded in EAN codes.

EAN labels are quite easy to create. All that is required is a label printer and the appropriate labels software (e.g. NiceLabel, Legitronic Labeling Software).

Professional help to print an EAN label is not required. In this sense, any individual equipped with a label printer and correct label software can print EAN labels. However, in the case of bulk orders, it is usually a better option to outsource the creation of EAN labels to a label producer. The label producer will then create the EAN labels, either pre-printed on rolls or sheets. Afterwards, the labels must be applied to the products manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically by the product manufacturer.

Instead of printing and then applying EAN labels, it is possible to combine these two tasks into one single effort with the help of a label printer and dispenser. This type of labeling machine has integrated printing modules that print the labels individually and shortly before they are applied. In addition to plain text, the print modules can print barcodes. Blank labels, for example, can be inserted into the label printer and dispenser. The print module then prints the EAN codes on the labels and applies them to the products.

Consistent print quality is an important goal, especially with EAN labels. If they are to be read correctly by barcode readers, no line must be missing or incorrectly printed.

Label printers and dispensers print EAN labels using either direct thermal or thermal transfer printing. With thermal transfer and direct thermal printing, the bars of the barcode either come out of the printer across the printing direction - the code is therefore like a "ladder" on the label - or the bars are printed in the printing direction and the code appears on the label like a "fence".

Printing EAN labels by thermal transfer printing is easier, faster and more precise when the code lines run in the printing direction of the thermal strip. This is so because, in order to print a fence barcode, the heating elements in the print head only have to be activated once and heated until the lines are printed.

It is more difficult to print ladder barcodes where the code lines run perpendicular to the actual printing direction. The dots are switched on and off at high printing speeds in very quick succession. Electronically, speed is not a problem, but the heating elements have a certain inertia. When printing wire barcodes, the heating elements have to react very precisely to being switched on and off. The temperature of the heating elements must therefore be able to change very quickly in order to produce an exact print image. However, they are still a little warm even after switching off, which can lead to frayed edges at very high printing speeds. With a barcode in particular, this could lead to problems with regard to legibility, because a very high edge definition is necessary for the lines and gaps. Printing accuracy can be improved by reducing the speed.